Israel Hails Lebanon Talks Despite Slim Chances for Breakthrough
Israel and Lebanon held their first high-level talks in more than 30 years, a meeting Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. described as a “victory for sanity,” even as officials tempered expectations for a near-term end to the war with Hezbollah.
The Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to Washington met under U.S. mediation for what the State Department called “productive discussions on steps toward launching direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon,” spokesman Tommy Pigott said Tuesday. No date or time was set for another round.
Both sides highlighted the significance of meeting face to face for the first time since 1993. Still, prospects for Israel easing its military campaign remained limited, as Hezbollah — a political party and one of the region’s most powerful armed groups — was not involved in the talks.
A prolonged war in Lebanon risks complicating U.S. President Donald Trump’s effort to wind down a parallel conflict with Iran, Hezbollah’s main sponsor. Israel has escalated its campaign in recent days, even after the U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 7.
“This was a victory for sanity, for responsibility and for peace, because the head of Hezbollah warned the government of Lebanon yesterday not to participate in these talks,” Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter told reporters in Washington. “This is the beginning of a very strong and fortified, consistent battle against Hezbollah.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said before the talks that a solution would not be reached in hours, but that the discussions could provide a “framework” for lasting security. He called it a “historic opportunity” to pursue not only a ceasefire, but “a permanent answer to 20 or 30 years of Hezbollah’s influence in this part of the world.”
Israel invaded Lebanon last month after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in solidarity with Iran, amid an intense U.S.-Israeli bombardment. The Lebanese government says Israel’s offensive has killed more than 2,000 people and displaced at least 1 million. Israel has said it will take control of large swaths of southern Lebanon and prevent more than 600,000 residents from returning. Two Israeli civilians and 13 soldiers have been killed in fighting with Hezbollah, while the group’s attacks have frequently forced Israelis in the north into shelters.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Lebanon wants a sustainable solution, but said it cannot be one-sided and called on Israel to respond to Lebanese, Arab, and international demands to halt attacks. Hezbollah’s strikes ended a fragile ceasefire that began in late 2024. Lebanon pledged to disarm Hezbollah under that agreement but has not done so, a point of deep frustration for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In the latest negotiations, Lebanon is seeking a ceasefire before addressing longer-term issues, while Israel has refused to pause attacks on Hezbollah and has demanded the group disarm.
Source : Newsmaker.id
